Of Jezebels and Balaams
Posted By asbandy on March 16, 2009
There are few things that aggravate me more than certain fringe “bible” teachers and “prophets” spinning their own version of Christianity while riding a wave of some new prophetic revelation. John expresses his distaste for the false teachers and false prophets in the churches of Asia Minor by evoking the imagery of two villains in Israel’s history credited with leading the Israelites into apostasy – Balaam (Rev 2:14) and Jezebel (Rev 2:20). What is more, Jesus said that he hates the practices of the Nicolaitans (Rev 2:6). In light of this, I believe that I am in good company with my following critique.
In the 1990s, it was the TBN network and the likes of some rather eccentric “big haired” preachers knocking people over with a breath and selling their sweaty handkerchiefs promising that, with the right donation, all your dreams will come true. Over the last decade we have witnessed a new breed of preachers repackaging the old mantras of the power of positive thinking speaking. That’s right, your words contain the power to make things happen. Change your surroundings and get all that you desire by making a positive confession.
I have found that my critiques of many popular preachers and charismatic movements are often met with ambivalence, disagreement, and prayers from well meaning people who pity me for not having these charismatic experiences. Some people are shocked that I would say that something is wrong with such conviction. I mean who are we, after all, to judge these preachers and prophets? Keep in mind, my concern is, and always has been, that we subject all doctrines and experiences to the scrutiny of a careful reading of Scripture in context.
I believe wholeheartedly in the power of God in Christ through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Fifteen years ago I was a strung out punk rock drug addict involved in neo-paganism and nearly failing out of school. Christ radically changed my life by setting me free from my addictions, restoring my broken relationships, and enabling me to excel academically. My interest in Christianity in far from being a disinterested observer! My concern, however, is too many sincere believers are so desperate for sensational supernatural experiences that they jettison critical thinking, orthodox theology, and reading the bible in context.
I have witnessed several friends drawn to certain movements claiming that the “teaching” has opened their eyes to the spiritual realm available to them. A couple of years ago, a friend gave me a CD of a message from a prophetess named Patricia King of Extreme Prophetic Ministry. I listened to the CD as Patricia told of being transported from Phoenix Arizona to a hospital room in Toronto, seeing green glory mist appearing at the back of a church, and all kinds of other bizarre things. You can learn about such things as the “breaker anointing,” which is also an angel and also Jesus:
You can also find pages of her prophecies. Here is a sample of one of her prophecies about the meaning of the Blue Flame of the Lord:
Dear Friends,
For the last number of months, I have had recurring nudges from the Holy Spirit to meditate on the phrase, “The Blue Flame of the Lord”.
The blue flame is the hottest and most intense part of a fire and the color blue is often a prophetic symbol of divine revelation, God’s love, and an open heaven.
Recently while teaching a Glory School in Dudley, England with Trevor and Sharon Baker, I had a spiritual encounter regarding the Blue Flame of the Lord. In this encounter I could feel myself soaring like an eagle looking upward into the Sun while in flight. My eyes were fixed on the Sun. Eagles (often a bible symbol of the prophetic) in the natural have an extra membrane over their eyes that other birds do not have. This allows them to look directly into the Sun without damage to their vision.
As I gazed into the Sun I could feel myself being drawn towards its center and that is when I saw it – the Blue Flame. It was so beautiful. I could feel its strength that is to be feared and respected and also its passion. The Lord gave me 3 points of understanding and application that I would like to share with you.
One insightful critic of her teaching pointed out that her teaching is more closely related to the hermetic and Gnostic tradition than biblical Christianity. In a blog post entitled Patricia King Exposed, the author demonstrates the pagan background associated with the blue flame:
The blue flame is all over new age and occult and witchcraft thought. [4]� In the Aridian Tradition, it is the focal point of the altar. A bowl is placed upon the center of the altar, and is filled with a special liquid, which will burn a blue flame. The appearance of the blue flame represents the presence of Divinity, within the ritual setting. The use of fire as a sacred symbol is one of the most ancient of practices.
Acording to a New Age website they state [5]� “The Blue Flame is in the core of the very strength and energy. The first Ray is represented in the power of intent, cause, direction, centralization and unity, and its keynote is will – Divine Will. The basic qualities of the Blue Flame are manifested through the energies of power, strength, faith and protection.”
In reference to sacred texts a archive of electronic texts about religion, mythology, legends and folklore, and occult and esoteric topics they state [6]� “All colors seen in dreams are of good omen, except blue; because, as in the flame, we have observed it consumes and destroys the body beneath it. It is the upas or deadly tree that overshadows the world, and is lethal to everything beneath it. If it be objected that there are angelic beings on high who, along with mankind are equally under the blue flame and yet are not consumed, our reply is that they, as existent beings, are celestial in their essence and, therefore, different from human existences who are to the blue flame what the candle is to the light.”
In addition to breaker annointings and blue flames, you may also be treated to Gemstones from Heaven, gold and diamond dust, and even scented oil oozing from bibles as seen in this video:
Lest you think, I am unduly critical please understand that my purpose is only to affirm what is genuine. The problem with these “miracles” is that (1) there is no Scriptural support for these happenings and (2) they would be very easy to fabricate. These types of “snake oil” gimmicks have a long history as being debunked and the products of con-artists. I think it is extremely important for people to subject all extra-biblical claims of miracles to critical scrutiny:
(1) There are no biblical accounts of oil oozing from bibles or gemstones falling from heaven.
(2) These claims can easily be debunked. Notice that none of these things occurred while any cameras were filming. In fact, they said that they found these things the next day after the building was “empty” all night. All that glitters are not real gold or gemstones.
(3) I would like a non-partial critical investigation of these claims. Allow a team of scientists to examine the oil and gemstones, to film the locations with twenty-four hour continuous feeds, and the test if these miracles are reproducible by non-supernatural means. If these miracles are genuine, then that will be demonstrated to the glory of God.
(4) What would be the purpose of these miracles? Or does this mean that God will make me rich by tossing perfectly cut gemstones at me while praying? I realize that Patricia indicated that lives were being changed and people were worshiping God. How many of them were already worshiping God before these events? Do people worship him any less because they have not experienced these particular miracles? Think through the implications.
(5) How did they have the interpretation of the meaning of the different scents of the oil oozing from the bible? It seems like they just made up the meanings (from another video on the same subject). It amazes me how they always have the perfect interpretation of the miracle, but I have no I idea where they are getting them from. It’s not in the Bible.
(6) These miracles are promoted by Patricia King of Extreme prophecy, which has some very questions doctrines that does not square with the teachings of Scripture. They are more closely related to pagan, new age, and hermetic teachings.
(7) I am deeply concerned that sincere Christians wanting an amazing encounter with the supernatural will suspend careful God-honoring discernment and critical thinking. There is nothing wrong with inspecting the teaching of preachers and prophets. The prophet Jeremiah also encountered false prophets and I think his words are apt as ever:
Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds. (Jeremiah 14:14)
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